Bad news and....well, more bad.

The beginning of this week I got a few leads for more gigs this season-- possibly a little of the beaten path but I am always game. I am still teaching as always--- adding and subtracting people (against my wishes). Monday night the lead male singer in MaineStream quit the band. He gave no one a good reason and we all suspected something different. He didn't even stay to practice--just up and left after hugs and shakes. This the person I so-called "saved" from depression when I offered him a chance with the band. I also got him a few gigs, showed him a few things, and I was already preparing two more shows with him. I thought we were close, but not answering emails or phone calls is not close--- lying is not close either.
This would not be such a blow to the band if we had not already signed contracts for two major shows that begin in 2 weeks. He walked out along with half of our setlist. So now we are picking up pieces and everyone is pulling double-duty. Sure, it makes us closer, but the expense is that we are striving for the sound of 5 members not 4.
The thought that being on stage in front of over a thousand people is daunting with a full army-- let's see if a small camp can take them!

This was once our band

St. Joseph's-- nice campus!

So, the gig during the yearly get-together of online college recruiters and staff went well enough. I brought 3 guitars, I played every set I wanted to, and I thought everything worked well. Of course no one heard me but that is beside the point. I had an amplifier but 100 people talking at the same time is impossible to play through solo. It would be a perfect rock band moment, but not classical and jazz solo guitar. The dinner part was no better but I did get compliments on the playing (someone heard). I was told to turn up but when I did I heard feedback-- I was using a mic. Wrong instrument for the wrong gig basically-- but I did what I could to make it better.
To add to the evening, I came outside to a car with one eye (one headlight went out)-- I drove home dodging cops.

Aside from all of that, the campus looked nice. I played in a livingroom/fireplace area that looked like it came out of a castle. It was a perfect setting for what I played-- and I put my heart into the playing-- it was just not heard. I hope I am able to go back soon.

Thanks

A conference, a wedding, and then a Redneck event!

These next few weeks are going to be hectic.

First, I want to mention that I was part of the failed Androscoggin Valley Community Orchestra-- I am in charge of the website, their twitter account, and I will see both dwindle away to nothing as they will not renew their hosting provider. Last week I was able to play a duet with the concertmaster of said orchestra; Sue Herrick. We will no doubt be playing more together-- along with other ex-members until we are enough to form a chamber group and possibly make some money. Classical music is not dead-- this area is just not educated enough to respect and pay for it!

Tomorrow night I will be playing a 2hr solo show at St. Joseph's college. I will get to play a few things I have been either practicing or composing for the past few years. I aim to be playing some jazz on my altered guitar (tuning-wise), a few jazz and classical standards on my Vai guitar, classical repertoire on my classical guitar, and through my lute music with a little ingenuity on my classical (change tuning and add a capo). The biggest problem will be amplification but I will have my best acoustic amp to hopefully help with that.

The following week will be a wedding...My wedding. Yes,  I am playing at that as well. In fact, that show will be skating on thin ice since there is a schedule to follow and other musicians to lead. I will have to get my classical violin chops ready for a Schubert piece since I will be accompanied by an accomplished pianist.

The following week marks MaineStream's debut at the Redneck Olympics:
http://www.visitmaine.com/event/8648/redneck_olympics_pig_roast_and_music_festival/

I knew everyone thought I made that up in the title-- but there is proof! Our band may not belong there but we will make a stir and dish out enough cards to get ourselves known. This band has me thinking about new clothing, hair color, jewelry, and technology-- everything my classical training and path has pushed aside. No, I am not going to the darkside-- I am still a lifelong classical musician-- I just feel music is an equal opportunity. Wouldn't Bach have played a synthesizer? Yes!